Within standardized practices of addiction treatment over the past 10 or so years, we have seen the emergence of a “level of care” model whereby the addicted individual begins with detoxification, then moves to the inpatient level of care for 30 days or so, from inpatient to Intensive Outpatient (IOP), and finally from IOP down to the lowest level which is the sober living environment (SLE). Armed with the knowledge that a majority of relapses occur within the first 90 days of treatment, we must be able to take a look at this model and ask ourselves if we could be doing better.
During the first 3 phases of treatment, and especially during detox and inpatient care, there seems to be an adequate level of monitoring, accountability, and structure within these programs. Due to the lack of requirements that govern sober living environments, however, often times we are seeing individuals begin to slip back into old maladaptive patterns and eventually relapse. Clearly, relapse at these early stages is not solely the fault or responsibility of the sober living environment, but without the implementation of a minimal level of accountability through drug testing, curfew, and required programming hours, it could be argued that this amount of unsupervised freedom at this stage leaves too much potential for failure with respect to the recovering addict. Because environments often dictate what is allowed and disallowed, there I also a risk of one bad apple spoiling the entire bunch. For example, even if a majority of individuals within a particular SLE had a strong desire to be sober, just one individual bringing in elicit substances can cause an entire house to relapse as resisting temptations that are thrown in our faces this early on in sobriety can leave even the most committed person susceptible to relapse. While fostering strong connections in early is crucial to long-term, sobriety, these social connections would best be found in others who have ample sobriety time under their belts in order to help facilitate growth, understanding, and accountability.
Similar to how individuals thrive better in school when they have individualized attention and care, the same goes for addicts during early recovery. Hired Power has identified the lack of specialized care, especially during the initial phases of sobriety, and offers a program where the recovering individuals care can be assisted by recovery care managers, Personal Recovery Assistants, and even their Safe Rides program which provides transportation as well as guidance. Contact Hired Power as the preferred alternative to the SLE.
Recovery is freedom. Hired Power can provide you with the support and care you need to help you achieve lasting recovery. Call (714) 559-3919 today for more information.
